Ivorian cotton magnate Koné Daouda Soukpafolo has acquired a majority stake in UNIWAX, the West African leader in printed fabric and a historic name in the regional textile industry. The transaction transfers control of the iconic textile company to Soukpafolo’s industrial vehicle, the Compagnie Ivoirienne de Coton (COIC S.A.), marking a return to Ivorian majority ownership.

The acquisition comes at a time when UNIWAX has shown a marked financial turnaround. In the third quarter of 2025, the company reported a 13 percent increase in revenue compared with the previous year and a net profit of 8.1 billion FCFA, driven by expanding distribution in key markets such as Nigeria and Guinea, improved cost management, and a rebound in domestic demand.

For Soukpafolo, taking control of UNIWAX is a strategic step toward building a fully integrated cotton-to-textile industrial hub. By bringing together cotton production and textile manufacturing under one umbrella, he aims to create synergies, increase local value creation, and strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of Côte d’Ivoire’s manufacturing sector.

Under the terms of the deal, UNIWAX’s current management and the Vlisco Group, its former partner, will continue to support the company’s transition to ensure continuity and future success.